Grinnell College

Grinnell College is a highly selective, private liberal arts college located in Grinnell, Iowa, a small town situated between Des Moines and Iowa City. Known for its rigorous academics and strong commitment to social justice, the college serves a residential community of approximately 1,750 students who come from across the globe to engage in a unique, self-directed educational model. Grinnell is distinguished by its massive endowment—one of the largest per-student in the country—which allows it to offer exceptional resources, generous financial aid, and a "need-blind" admission policy. The college fosters an egalitarian atmosphere, prioritizing critical thinking, global perspectives, and the "honorable discharge of the duties of life."

The college was founded in 1846 as Iowa College in Davenport, Iowa, by the "Iowa Band," a group of 12 Congregational ministers from New England who traveled west to establish a center of learning and abolitionism. It holds the distinction of being the first four-year liberal arts college established west of the Mississippi River. In 1859, due to financial strain and town conflicts in Davenport, the college relocated to Grinnell and merged with Grinnell University, an institution founded by the abolitionist and town benefactor Josiah Bushnell Grinnell. The college faced a catastrophic setback in 1882 when a tornado leveled the entire campus, yet classes resumed just days later in temporary quarters—a testament to the community's resilience. Over the 20th century, Grinnell emerged as a national leader in progressive education, notably becoming one of the first colleges to admit African American students and award degrees to women.

Grinnell College stands as a unique intellectual oasis in the American Midwest, blending pioneer resilience with global-minded progressive values. By providing students with total academic freedom and the financial resources to pursue any interest, the college empowers a diverse body of "Grinnellians" to challenge conventions and address systemic inequalities. Its history of abolitionism and its modern status as a powerhouse of social mobility ensure that its mission of serving the "common good" remains as vital today as it was in 1846. It remains a premier choice for students seeking a rigorous, collaborative, and socially conscious liberal arts education.